Hacia la eliminación del cáncer cervicouterino: ¿Abrirá Chile el camino para América Latina?

Abstract

Five years after the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, Chile has demonstrated relevant progress across its three core pillars: immunization, screening, and treatment.

This review analyzes the current national landscape, identifying achievements, gaps, and opportunities to meet the established coverage targets (90% vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% timely treatment).

From an epidemiological perspective, mortality has decreased by 41.6% between 2002 and 2023; however, the disease continues to represent a significant burden. In immunization, the implementation of school-based programs since 2014 has enabled coverage to reach 86.2% among girls under 15 years of age by 2024. In screening, a gradual transition from cytology to HPV testing is observed, although coverage remains low (≈10%) and access inequities persist; in this context, self-sampling emerges as a promising strategy. PAP smear coverage remains close to 60%, with variability depending on the data source. Regarding treatment, although services are available and aligned with international standards, limitations persist in referral times and timely access to care.

In conclusion, Chile has the structural and regulatory capacity to advance toward cervical cancer elimination; however, it must strengthen effective, equitable, and measurable coverage—particularly in screening and treatment—while improving territorial equity and consolidating a person-centered approach to care.